Cryptocurrencies, Venezuela closes two exchanges. Decision announced, and not without operational repercussions for the country.
After a few weeks away, we return to deal with the Venezuela, one of the most active countries on the cryptocurrency front, also thanks to the launch of its very personal Petro, the first digital currency connected to oil.
The opportunity for this media return is offered to us by the government of the country, which has taken action against two operators Exchange of criptovalute active in the country, and which allow (allowed!) customers to exchange cryptocurrencies and bolivars (the national currency) and send remittances abroad.
Paper Hands operation
"L 'Paper Hands operationThe Venezuelan government entered a new phase this week with the dismantling of 3 illegal operators: Intercash, Quick change e AirTM"- said the country's attorney general, Tarek William Saab, who described Operation Paper Hands as the largest anti-litigation procedure in the country's history. To date, 112 people have already been arrested, including 107 already involved in court.
Yet, Tarek William Saab he specified how the operation "tries to take action against the people and companies they have stained themselves with misappropriation, [and] the spread of false rate information cultural, ", Adding that" 1.382 bank accounts were frozen for a sum greater than 711.967 million bolivars [approximately 10,6 million dollars] ".
Of the three exchanges mentioned above, Airtm supported the conversion of zcash, bitcoin, bitcoin cash, ether, ripple, litecoin, monero, dogecoin and tether. Rapidcambio allowed customers to exchange and send remittances using bitcoin, ether, bitcoin money, dash, litecoin and ripple.
Venezuela closes two cryptocurrency exchanges
Specifically, Saab noted that these exchange they operated through websites registered abroad as well as accounts Twitter and other social networks, adding that they used international bank accounts in the United States, Chile, Ecuador and Panama. The crackdown, therefore, only affects their operations in Venezuela.
He then elaborated that those activities exchange were distinguished by the ability to receive cash deposits or make transfers by converting currencies with exchange rate unreal and inconvenient for users. The prosecutor also added that he "spoke with the President of the Republic to create new detention centers for these criminals".
"I want someone to explain how a dollar could cost 2017 bolivars in September 15.000, 100.000 bolivars in December, 200.000 bolivars in January of this year and 500.000 bolivars at the end of March" - Saab added.
